2024 was a significant year for McBride in advancing our reward journey. We welcomed a new reward manager to strengthen our group reward team, and made progress in standardising and outsourcing payroll operations across Europe. We also established a new office in Germany, complete with a comprehensive benefits package. Additionally, we proudly introduced an electric vehicle (EV) scheme in the UK and Belgium, providing colleagues with a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly commuting option.
In 2025, we aim to build on the successes of last year and further expand our EV initiatives. The response in the UK has been excellent, with 21 EVs ordered so far. However, take up in Belgium has been slower, prompting us to review potential barriers and consider adjustments to the benefit offering to boost participation.
We are also prioritising streamlining our benefits using the Workday system. Our goal is to ensure employees are well-informed about the benefits available to them and can easily identify, select, and manage the options most relevant to their needs, all in a user-friendly way. Additionally, by simplifying administrative processes for HR, we can shift our focus from managing benefits to actively supporting employees in maximising their value. This approach will enhance the overall experience for both colleagues and HR teams.
Our ultimate goal is to introduce fully flexible benefits, empowering employees to tailor their benefits to their specific needs at any stage of life. Beyond traditional offerings, this could include support for challenges such as managing debt, purchasing a home, starting a family, or caring for older family members.
While we are still in the early stages of laying the foundations, leveraging tools like the Workday system and initiatives such as the menopause support app launched in the UK last year, this is a long-term vision. Achieving it will take time, as we operate across multiple countries with varying legislation, making a one-size-fits-all approach impossible. Nevertheless, I am passionate about delivering the right benefits to the right colleagues at the right time, creating a truly personalised and supportive experience.
Rob Mottram is head of reward and human capital management systems at McBride
